"Evolution in Modern Thought" is a book that explores the development and impact of the theory of evolution on modern scientific thinking. The book is a collection of essays written by leading scientists and thinkers of the time, including J. Arthur Thomson and August Weismann, with a preface by Ernst Haeckel. The book begins with an overview of the history of evolutionary thought, from the early ideas of Lamarck and Darwin to the more recent developments in the field. The authors delve into the various debates and controversies surrounding evolution, such as the role of natural selection in the process and the relationship between genetics and evolution. They also discuss the ethical and social implications of the theory, including the impact on religion and morality. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize the importance of evolution in shaping our understanding of the natural world and our place in it.
"Evolution in Modern Thought" was a collaborative effort between several notable scientists and thinkers of the time, including Ernst Haeckel, J. Arthur Thomson, August Weismann, and others. Ernst Haeckel was a German biologist, philosopher, and artist who lived from 1834 to 1919. He was a prominent advocate for Darwin's theory of evolution and was known for his work on the classification of living organisms. Haeckel was also an influential proponent of the idea of recapitulation, which suggested that the development of an organism mirrored the evolutionary history of its ancestors. August Weismann was a German biologist who lived from 1834 to 1914. He was known for his work on the inheritance of acquired characteristics and his experiments on the transmission of genetic traits. Weismann was also an important contributor to the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory. Together, Haeckel, Thomson, Weismann, and the other authors of "Evolution in Modern Thought" played an important role in shaping our understanding of evolutionary theory and its impact on modern scientific thinking.
